Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.38 AVERAGE
3.38 AVERAGE
This book felt like a little bit of a let down after the past few in the Goosebumps series have been so great. The first half of the book feels like it slips back into the repetitive nature that the books often feature - Jerry hears music, then discovers nothing there. Then hears music again, and still there's nothing there.
But the story picks up once Jerry starts his lessons, and the mystery thickens a bit more there.
I would also say that some of the shock value of this one is spoiled by the fact that the UK cover very blatantly shows Dr. Shreek with robotic hands... poor choice of cover art there!
But the story picks up once Jerry starts his lessons, and the mystery thickens a bit more there.
I would also say that some of the shock value of this one is spoiled by the fact that the UK cover very blatantly shows Dr. Shreek with robotic hands... poor choice of cover art there!
Also shocked this one had lower ratings. I thought this one has the right balance of creepy and mystery. While the plot and characters could have been fleshed out a bit more, I thought this was one of the creepier goosebumps stories.
fast-paced
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
N/A
I definitely enjoyed this book more than the previous two (ghost next door and haunted mask) and I think a lot has to do with it being in first person. This adds more to the immersiveness I would say. The main character Jerry is alright, he’s not the most lovable but I did feel for him more and was invested in the plot. Again there are some unnecessary twists that can be predicted but overall the storyline is entertaining, twisty and scary in parts. The basic synopsis is Jerry and his parents (and their vindictive cat) move to a new town, he finds an old piano in the attic so his parents suggest taking lessons. At night he hears a sad melody being played and goes to investigate… but who’s playing it?? Additionally he starts lessons with an instructor who’s taken quite a fancy to his hands, but why?… it’s a short, intriguing read - recommend
This was fun. I believe I read it as a child but I didn't remember what happened.
As great as Tim Jacobus' art is for the US covers, I must confess I prefer the concept of the UK Goosebumps covers. Perhaps it's nostalgia, or maybe it's the embossing, but the images rising from the colourful bubbles has always struck me as quite cool. I do think a happy medium is met later in the series, where the bubble effect of the UK covers meets the artwork from the US ones, but at this point in the series we're still getting original (and, frustratingly, uncredited) art. In the case of Piano Lessons Can Be Murder, however, the UK cover is actually a pretty big spoiler.
Still, R.L. Stine throws so many ideas into this book that I can't help but admire his audacity. There is also some pretty grotesque imagery (for a Goosebumps book) which I appreciated. Unfortunately the main character, Jerry, is kinda annoying, but the book is interesting enough that this doesn't detract too much. Side note: on several occasions Jerry uses a phrase like: 'I really thought she was going to drop her teeth!' I can honestly say I have never heard such a phrase before.
I have pretty much zero recollection of reading this book as a kid. I'm fairly sure I did read it, because I'm fairly sure I read every Goosebumps book (in the original series, at least) as a kid. I suppose back then this didn't make much of an impact. Reading these now as an adult, and I actually think this is one of the better Goosebumps books I've read (so far). Also, despite it not really going anywhere, I was impressed that R.L. Stine threw in a scene where our main character visits a psychiatrist. Stine really does throw a lot at the wall in this book to see what sticks, and thankfully, an awful lot of it does.
3.5/5
Goosebumps Ranked
1) Stay Out of the Basement - 4/5
2) Welcome to Dead House - 3.5/5
3) Piano Lessons Can Be Murder - 3.5/5
4) Night of the Living Dummy - 3.5/5
5) The Girl Who Cried Monster - 3.5/5
6) The Haunted Mask - 3/5
7) The Ghost Next Door - 3/5
8) Monster Blood - 3/5
9) Say Cheese and Die! - 3/5
10) The Curse of the Mummy's Tomb - 2.5/5
11) Let's Get Invisible! - 2/5
12) Welcome to Camp Nightmare - 2/5
Still, R.L. Stine throws so many ideas into this book that I can't help but admire his audacity. There is also some pretty grotesque imagery (for a Goosebumps book) which I appreciated. Unfortunately the main character, Jerry, is kinda annoying, but the book is interesting enough that this doesn't detract too much. Side note: on several occasions Jerry uses a phrase like: 'I really thought she was going to drop her teeth!' I can honestly say I have never heard such a phrase before.
I have pretty much zero recollection of reading this book as a kid. I'm fairly sure I did read it, because I'm fairly sure I read every Goosebumps book (in the original series, at least) as a kid. I suppose back then this didn't make much of an impact. Reading these now as an adult, and I actually think this is one of the better Goosebumps books I've read (so far). Also, despite it not really going anywhere, I was impressed that R.L. Stine threw in a scene where our main character visits a psychiatrist. Stine really does throw a lot at the wall in this book to see what sticks, and thankfully, an awful lot of it does.
3.5/5
Goosebumps Ranked
1) Stay Out of the Basement - 4/5
2) Welcome to Dead House - 3.5/5
3) Piano Lessons Can Be Murder - 3.5/5
4) Night of the Living Dummy - 3.5/5
5) The Girl Who Cried Monster - 3.5/5
6) The Haunted Mask - 3/5
7) The Ghost Next Door - 3/5
8) Monster Blood - 3/5
9) Say Cheese and Die! - 3/5
10) The Curse of the Mummy's Tomb - 2.5/5
11) Let's Get Invisible! - 2/5
12) Welcome to Camp Nightmare - 2/5
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No